Pune: After missing multiple deadlines over the past two years, the city's much-awaited Metro Line 3 connecting Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar now seems to be on track for commissioning in August 2026, with the first phase comprising 12 stations expected to be ready by the end of June.
Project Update and Timelines
Officials of the Pune IT City Metro Rail Ltd (PITCMRL), the concessionaire executing the project for the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), informed TOI on Thursday that all major civil and systems works on the 23 km fully elevated corridor have been completed. End-to-end trial runs have been successfully conducted across the entire route.
The first phase covers a 13.3 km stretch between Maan and RK Laxman Museum station, including 12 stations. It is expected to receive necessary statutory and safety clearances by June-end, after which the state government will decide the date for commencement of passenger services, PITCMRL officials said.
CEO Statement
“All 12 stations in the first phase will be ready by this month-end. The date for commencement of passenger services will be decided by the state government after the requisite approvals are obtained,” said Anil Kumar Saini, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PITCMRL.
The remaining section of the corridor will be opened in the next phase and extended up to Civil Court Metro station, facilitating integration with the existing Maha Metro network. Officials noted that while station infrastructure is largely finished on the new corridor, four stations are still undergoing final entry and exit works. Barring these, end-to-end operations with due safety permissions are expected in August. The timing of operations will be from 6 am to 11:30 pm, in line with the other two Pune Metro lines.
Benefits for Commuters
Once fully operational, Metro Line 3 is expected to cut travel time between Shivajinagar and Hinjewadi to around 45 minutes from the current 90 minutes or more during peak-hour traffic, reducing the journey duration by over 50%. The corridor is expected to benefit thousands of daily commuters, particularly IT professionals traveling to and from Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi.
Saini added that the project would redefine urban mobility by providing seamless connectivity between Pune's city centre and its largest IT hub. He further stated that the corridor would offer a faster, safer, and sustainable transport alternative, help decongest roads, and encourage a shift from fossil-fuel-based private vehicles to mass public transport.
Vision for Pune Region
Saini also said, “The project supports the state’s broader vision of transforming the Pune region into a globally competitive manufacturing and Global Capability Centre (GCC) hub by improving connectivity and reducing travel times.”
Project Background and Delays
Metro Line 3 has witnessed repeated delays and missed at least five deadlines since construction began. The project was initiated in 2021 and is India's first Metro corridor being implemented under the Centre's New Metro Policy, 2017, through the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
According to PITCMRL, all key construction and systems milestones have now been achieved. Viaduct construction has been completed across the entire corridor, while track laying, third-rail electrification, and signalling systems have been installed throughout the route. All 23 stations are in advanced stages of completion, with entry and exit works nearing completion.
Technical Specifications
The project has also completed Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) oscillation trials for its rolling stock. Officials said approvals have been obtained from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) and the Union Railways Ministry for train operations at a maximum speed of 85 km/h.
For the first phase, 18 coaches configured into three-car train sets will be deployed. The corridor will operate using Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology, smart ticketing systems, and indigenously manufactured rolling stock under the government's Make in India initiative.
Future Impact
The corridor is expected to emerge as a major transport backbone for Pune's western growth corridor, providing a reliable alternative to one of the city's most congested road stretches and ensuring last-mile connectivity, PITCMRL officials said.
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